Put on your best and come sip tea for charity with the Issaquah Women’s Club at their Harmony & High Tea annual fundraiser at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 14.

Last year, the event raised $14,000 for local charities, said Mariann Crane, president of the women’s club.

“It is a wonderful event and so many people are so anxious to come back,” she said. “For anyone looking to give back to their community, it’s perfect.”

You can expect the superb snacks, like tea sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese, chicken almondine, and ham and cream cheese; delectable sweets, like petit fours, lemon bars and shortbread cookies; fresh fruit; and, of course, fine teas in a variety of flavors.

Cascade Ridge Elementary School students and their families walk laps in the rain around the school Oct. 16 during the annual PTA walkathon fundraiser, which brought in $46,000 to afford outside expert seminars for children, classroom grants and teacher stipends. By Greg Farrar

Cascade Ridge Elementary School families broke out the galoshes and rain gear to raise money for their school Oct. 16.

The school’s walkathon, their largest fundraiser, took place on the rainiest day so far this month. But that didn’t stop the families from walking or running a few laps while jamming to the school’s teacher band, The Hee Haw Band, and a deejay.

“It’s fun,” said Ethan Wolfe, a fourth-grader who ran 11 laps. “I like to walk around the school.”

The fundraiser brought in more than $46,000 for the school’s Parents, Teachers and Students Association, which helps bridge the funding gap between state funding and what is necessary for a 21st century education, said Cathia Geller, a walkathon team member.

For instance, money from the event will help pay for seminars with outside experts in math, science, art and music to teach the children, she said. It also pays classroom grants and teacher stipends. Read more

Scott Perkins, 24, tosses to Casey Dunn, 24 (both of Newcastle) as they break the world record for behind-the-back Frisbee catches Oct. 2 in their backyard. The duo set a new mark of 29. By Tim Pfarr

Scott Perkins and Casey Dunn will soon go down in history.

On Oct. 3, the men, both 24, broke the world record for most behind-the-back Frisbee catches in one minute from at least five meters apart. The previous record was two; the duo completed 29 behind-the-back catches.

Friends, family members and Newcastle Mayor Ben Varon were on hand to witness the event. Robert Perkins (Scott Perkin’s father) and Russel Cowgill (Dunn’s and Perkins’ roommate) served as official timers, and Varon served as the official counter.

“It’s an honor to be asked to be here,” Varon said.

The duo broke the record in their back yard, standing behind two spray-painted lines on the grass. After less than a minute of warming up, Perkins and Dunn went straight for the record. One of the timers counted to three, and the feat was under way.

Of their 32 attempts, two passes were dropped and one was not caught behind the back. This effort was more than enough to shatter the previous record, but Perkins laughed when he discovered they had gotten so close to 30 successful catches without reaching it. Their record while practicing had been 33.

“It would’ve been nice to get 30,” Perkins said. “We just dropped a couple, but that’s OK.”

In the end, both Perkins and Dunn were satisfied with their performance.

“It was nice to have a good crowd out here today,” Dunn said.

Sixteen witnesses attended.

After many congratulatory hugs and a loud round of applause, attendees called for a toast and a speech from the new record-holders. Dunn responded by saying he was just glad it wasn’t windy, and Scott Perkins said, “We do our talking with a disc.”

Skyline’s Olivia Marquardt, Anya Kamber and Amy Ziegler (from right) wear ‘RP’ on their arms before each game to show their support for former coach Mark Peterson’s son Ryan Peterson, who is being treated for a rare form of leukemia. By Christopher Huber

When Mark Peterson and his wife Angie found out Oct. 10 their 1-year-old son Ryan had a rare form of leukemia, the decision to step down as head coach of the Skyline High School volleyball team wasn’t difficult, he said.

After 11 years of coaching at Skyline, Peterson had to make the sudden, but obvious choice to stop coaching the sport he loves and be with his son as he began six months of chemotherapy treatment at Seattle Children’s.

“You drop anything and everything,” Peterson said. “It was all of a sudden. It was definitely out of the blue. It happened overnight.”

Since Ryan was admitted to Children’s, the Petersons, who both work, have been taking turns between the hospital and home — they also have a 5-year-old, James.

“We’re very, very lucky in that both of our employers are understanding,” he said. Read more

Connie Fletcher laughs and enjoys a surprise sign placed on a ladies’ room stall door Oct. 19 during a reception honoring her retirement from 16 years of service on the Issaquah School District Board of Directors. In a ‘Very Special Resolution’ passed unanimously, the other board members, after several ‘whereas’ commendations, noting her ‘decided preference for the second stall from the left,’ resolved that it be ‘hereafter known as the ‘Connie Fletcher Commemorative Ladies’ Room Stall.’By Sara Niegowski / Issaquah School District

Dow Constantine for King County executive

The outcome of the race for King County executive will have a significant effect on our urban cities and surrounding unincorporated areas, which makes the choice a critical one. We’ve seen what happens when the leadership is misdirected and we’re looking forward to change.

Fish and wildlife authorities to investigate

Deputies rescued a hunter from Tiger Mountain State Forest after he twisted his knee atop the mountain Oct. 17, authorities said. Authorities then began investigating whether the 37-year-old Tacoma man had been hunting in a designated area, using a proper hunting weapon and whether he had broken any state regulations. Read more

Issaquah city and schools candidates rolled out long lists of endorsements — from elected officials, community leaders, business groups and political parties — during the push for votes.

Endorsements provide fodder for campaign ads and reassure voters with questions about candidates. The nods can also provide clues to party affiliations of candidates in the nonpartisan City Council and school board races.